Dear Everyone,
This week has been a most interesting week. I have again enjoyed the company of the Spanish Elders and have delighted in the opportunity to serve alongside them. We met with this one family and since our other appointments canceled on us we ended up watching The Restoration, Joy to the World and Faith in Christ while waiting for and then partaking of a most delicious dinner. On Tuesday we met with another family wherewith we taught the first discussion. (see note 1). We also had a really nice lunch at a member's house earlier that day. On Wednesday we had a neat discussion with a less active member and on Thursday we taught another First Discussion to this really sweet family we found through a referral from a member. On Friday we had a really good correlation meeting and came up with a good number of ideas to increase missionary work among the members of the ward, we then had dinner at one of our progressing investigator's house. On Saturday I volunteered at the Library and was later able to accompany the Spanish Elders to Demaris' house and then to Sister Lara's. At Sister Lara's we watched Special Witnesses of Christ and bore our testimonies to the family and friends there. We then had dinner at the Santiago family's house and following that had a wonderful kindof First Discussion with this one fellow who ended up bringing his entire family to church the next day. :D On Sunday, my favorite day of the week, I went to both English and Spanish church meetings. In Elders' Quorum we discussed prophets and how wonderful it is to have a Prophet on the Earth today, even, Thomas S. Monson. Especially at a time where the world on such shaky foundations. Afterwards I went with Elders Espinosa and Rodriguez and we ate at a member's house. On Monday I went with the Spanish Elders to an appointment and we watched "Special Witnesses of Christ." Afterwards we bore strong testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. I added my testimony thereof and also that God sometimes asks us to do hard things, thing that we don't feel strong enough to do, but He will always provide a way for us to accomplish those things which He has commanded us and as we do those things we can grow and progress. I went to the temple on Tuesday, Wednesday and on Thursday night. This week was missionary week at the Temple so there were many Elders there every time I went. I ended up getting a chance to speak with the mission president and received an assignment from him.. I'm being transferred to Goldsboro, NC for 2 weeks and will return here for 2 weeks, then I will head back out on December 21st and stay till the end of the transfer.
In my study this week I've been focusing on The Book of Mormon. I've had some insights on the cycles of Doubt as opposed to the cycle of Faith and I would like to share them. Using Nephi and Laman and Lemual as opposing examples I will expound on this. When Lehi, their father, prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem and took them and fled into the wilderness, Nephi and Laman and Lemuel reacted in different ways. Both groups received the same directive or commandment from their father, but how each of the groups reacted varies. Nephi accepted and as he obeyed and sought to know if what his father was doing was right he gained a greater testimony that it was, which led him to gain greater faith to do even greater things. Leman and Lemual, however, doubted their father, complained most of the time and did not seek to know whether or not their father was indeed correct. Because they did not seek or act on their father's words or in other words exercise faith, their faith did not grow. The cycle of faith: commandment given or truth presented>>>> action taken: asking, seeking knocking>>>> testimony strengthened>>> faith increased>> greater ability to follow commandments. The cycle of doubt: commandment given of truth presented>>>> action not taken, or negative action taken: slothfulness, procrastination, complaining, rebellion>>>> testimony diminished>>>> faith decreased>>> ability to follow commandments diminished. Just an interesting thought..
Well, I'm getting transferred today, I look forward to serving in a new area and meeting lots of new people. I hope that each of you have a wonderful week and that you are able to accomplish all of the things you have set before you.
I leave my testimony that this is the Lord's work, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Church of Jesus Christ in the Last Days. It is Christ's Church. I leave that testimony with you in His name, even Jesus Christ. Amen
With Love,
Elder Roberts
Note 1: The first discussion contains simple, but truths leading up to the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. It begins with how God is our Heavenly Father and we are His Children, it continues and teaches us that He loves us and knows us individually and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can help us become like Him and can strengthen our family relationships. Heavenly Father reveals this gospel through Prophets (Amos 3:7) and they in turn teach it to the people. Sometimes the people accept it and enjoy the blessings thereof, other times they continued in their ways and even persecuted and killed the Prophets. When the people were too wicked and would not listen or began to twist and pollute gospel principles and truths they fell into a state called apostasy, or falling away. When Christ came to the Earth, He taught the Gospel and called Apostles to go forth and teach it to all nations. The Church of Jesus Christ began to be established on the Earth... However, the people began to reject and argue over some of the simple truths of the gospel, and the Apostles, which had the authority to preside over the church, were persecuted and eventually killed. This lead to the Great Apostasy, or the famine prophesied of in Amos 8:11. Because of this apostasy or falling away from the truth of the gospel, there needed to be a restoration. A restoration of the authority and of the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my testimony that this restoration has happened. In 1820 a young boy, Joseph Smith was wondering which church he needed to join, for they all had their different doctrines. He had read Ephesians 4:5 which states: One faith, One Lord, One Baptism... He thought that there should be one church, one doctrine that would apply to all mankind. Having not been able to find an answer he continued to attend the different churches and one day came to a verse in James. James 1:5 which declares: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and unbraideth not and it shall be given him." No other verse had hit him with such power. His answer could not be found by an appeal to the man, because men were so at odds with one another on the same scriptures.. So, he had to ask the source of all truth, God. So, one early spring morning he retired in a wooded grove near his house. It was here that he found the needed solitude to open his heart to God in reverent prayer. In his own words, this is his experience: "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him." God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. As I have borne my testimony of the reality of that appearance I have felt the undeniable testimony of the Holy Ghost, even the comforter spoke of by Christ in John 14:16, bear witness that these events are indeed true. Joseph Smith was called as the First Prophet in these the latter days and through him the Church of Jesus Christ once again began to be established on the earth, never to be taken again. Another powerful witness is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a translation of an ancient record of the people on this continent and their activities here. It is another witness of Jesus Christ and testifies of His divinity. You can know if this is true too. Just as Joseph you can also pray to know. You can feel the powerful witness of the Holy Ghost and have the Gospel change you life as it has mine. I know this Church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. I know that as you search, ponder and pray, or act upon these things that your testimony will be strengthened, your family relationships strengthened and you will receive a witness in as much as you ask with a sincere heart with a true desire to know the truthfulness thereof. I leave all these things with you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
This week has been a most interesting week. I have again enjoyed the company of the Spanish Elders and have delighted in the opportunity to serve alongside them. We met with this one family and since our other appointments canceled on us we ended up watching The Restoration, Joy to the World and Faith in Christ while waiting for and then partaking of a most delicious dinner. On Tuesday we met with another family wherewith we taught the first discussion. (see note 1). We also had a really nice lunch at a member's house earlier that day. On Wednesday we had a neat discussion with a less active member and on Thursday we taught another First Discussion to this really sweet family we found through a referral from a member. On Friday we had a really good correlation meeting and came up with a good number of ideas to increase missionary work among the members of the ward, we then had dinner at one of our progressing investigator's house. On Saturday I volunteered at the Library and was later able to accompany the Spanish Elders to Demaris' house and then to Sister Lara's. At Sister Lara's we watched Special Witnesses of Christ and bore our testimonies to the family and friends there. We then had dinner at the Santiago family's house and following that had a wonderful kindof First Discussion with this one fellow who ended up bringing his entire family to church the next day. :D On Sunday, my favorite day of the week, I went to both English and Spanish church meetings. In Elders' Quorum we discussed prophets and how wonderful it is to have a Prophet on the Earth today, even, Thomas S. Monson. Especially at a time where the world on such shaky foundations. Afterwards I went with Elders Espinosa and Rodriguez and we ate at a member's house. On Monday I went with the Spanish Elders to an appointment and we watched "Special Witnesses of Christ." Afterwards we bore strong testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon. I added my testimony thereof and also that God sometimes asks us to do hard things, thing that we don't feel strong enough to do, but He will always provide a way for us to accomplish those things which He has commanded us and as we do those things we can grow and progress. I went to the temple on Tuesday, Wednesday and on Thursday night. This week was missionary week at the Temple so there were many Elders there every time I went. I ended up getting a chance to speak with the mission president and received an assignment from him.. I'm being transferred to Goldsboro, NC for 2 weeks and will return here for 2 weeks, then I will head back out on December 21st and stay till the end of the transfer.
In my study this week I've been focusing on The Book of Mormon. I've had some insights on the cycles of Doubt as opposed to the cycle of Faith and I would like to share them. Using Nephi and Laman and Lemual as opposing examples I will expound on this. When Lehi, their father, prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem and took them and fled into the wilderness, Nephi and Laman and Lemuel reacted in different ways. Both groups received the same directive or commandment from their father, but how each of the groups reacted varies. Nephi accepted and as he obeyed and sought to know if what his father was doing was right he gained a greater testimony that it was, which led him to gain greater faith to do even greater things. Leman and Lemual, however, doubted their father, complained most of the time and did not seek to know whether or not their father was indeed correct. Because they did not seek or act on their father's words or in other words exercise faith, their faith did not grow. The cycle of faith: commandment given or truth presented>>>> action taken: asking, seeking knocking>>>> testimony strengthened>>> faith increased>> greater ability to follow commandments. The cycle of doubt: commandment given of truth presented>>>> action not taken, or negative action taken: slothfulness, procrastination, complaining, rebellion>>>> testimony diminished>>>> faith decreased>>> ability to follow commandments diminished. Just an interesting thought..
Well, I'm getting transferred today, I look forward to serving in a new area and meeting lots of new people. I hope that each of you have a wonderful week and that you are able to accomplish all of the things you have set before you.
I leave my testimony that this is the Lord's work, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Church of Jesus Christ in the Last Days. It is Christ's Church. I leave that testimony with you in His name, even Jesus Christ. Amen
With Love,
Elder Roberts
Note 1: The first discussion contains simple, but truths leading up to the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. It begins with how God is our Heavenly Father and we are His Children, it continues and teaches us that He loves us and knows us individually and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can help us become like Him and can strengthen our family relationships. Heavenly Father reveals this gospel through Prophets (Amos 3:7) and they in turn teach it to the people. Sometimes the people accept it and enjoy the blessings thereof, other times they continued in their ways and even persecuted and killed the Prophets. When the people were too wicked and would not listen or began to twist and pollute gospel principles and truths they fell into a state called apostasy, or falling away. When Christ came to the Earth, He taught the Gospel and called Apostles to go forth and teach it to all nations. The Church of Jesus Christ began to be established on the Earth... However, the people began to reject and argue over some of the simple truths of the gospel, and the Apostles, which had the authority to preside over the church, were persecuted and eventually killed. This lead to the Great Apostasy, or the famine prophesied of in Amos 8:11. Because of this apostasy or falling away from the truth of the gospel, there needed to be a restoration. A restoration of the authority and of the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my testimony that this restoration has happened. In 1820 a young boy, Joseph Smith was wondering which church he needed to join, for they all had their different doctrines. He had read Ephesians 4:5 which states: One faith, One Lord, One Baptism... He thought that there should be one church, one doctrine that would apply to all mankind. Having not been able to find an answer he continued to attend the different churches and one day came to a verse in James. James 1:5 which declares: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and unbraideth not and it shall be given him." No other verse had hit him with such power. His answer could not be found by an appeal to the man, because men were so at odds with one another on the same scriptures.. So, he had to ask the source of all truth, God. So, one early spring morning he retired in a wooded grove near his house. It was here that he found the needed solitude to open his heart to God in reverent prayer. In his own words, this is his experience: "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him." God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. As I have borne my testimony of the reality of that appearance I have felt the undeniable testimony of the Holy Ghost, even the comforter spoke of by Christ in John 14:16, bear witness that these events are indeed true. Joseph Smith was called as the First Prophet in these the latter days and through him the Church of Jesus Christ once again began to be established on the earth, never to be taken again. Another powerful witness is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a translation of an ancient record of the people on this continent and their activities here. It is another witness of Jesus Christ and testifies of His divinity. You can know if this is true too. Just as Joseph you can also pray to know. You can feel the powerful witness of the Holy Ghost and have the Gospel change you life as it has mine. I know this Church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. I know that as you search, ponder and pray, or act upon these things that your testimony will be strengthened, your family relationships strengthened and you will receive a witness in as much as you ask with a sincere heart with a true desire to know the truthfulness thereof. I leave all these things with you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
